Repurposed Parking Meters Collect Money For Detroit's Homeless
DETROIT (AP) - A new initiative in downtown Detroit uses repurposed parking meters to collect donations for nonprofits that serve the homeless.
The first phase of the "Detroit Donates" campaign launched Tuesday with 17 meters in both public and private spaces throughout the city. The Detroit News reports that the meters were painted by Detroit graffiti artist Antonio "Shades" Agee.
Donations for the program will be collected by depositing coins into the meters, by corporate sponsorship and through the Detroit Donates website.
The City Council will select the certified nonprofits or churches that will receive the donations to be directed toward programming, including transportation, housing and job training services for the homeless.
Similar efforts have been successful in other major U.S. cities, including Washington, D.C., Denver and Indianapolis.
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